Something So Right (26 page)

“I’m off today. It’s you and me. Whoever it is I’ll call them back,” he said into my neck. So now here we are the next day and he’s not in bed with me. Not that anything would happen. I’m sure if it did my vagina would weep, and not happy tears.

I sit up in bed, looking around for the clock. It’s nine-thirty in the morning. Right then I hear the click of the hotel door lock. There he is, the man of my dreams. Dressed already in jeans, T-shirt, running shoes, and his classic baseball hat. But it isn’t his beauty that gets me. What gets me is the Starbucks he’s carrying in his one hand, the other hand holding a water bottle.

I reach both hands out and groan in pain. I’m not sure how my arms are sore, but I’m not even sure I can think without caffeine.

“Morning,” he says, handing me my cup of salvation.

I inhale the scent of the coffee. “I love you,” I say, and I’m not sure if I’m talking to him or the coffee.

He shakes his head, laughing.

“I’ve got practice in thirty minutes, and it looked like you were never going to get up.” He comes over, sitting next to me on the bed. He rubs my nipple with his cold hand, making it spring to action.

Fucking body has a mind of its own. I smack his hand away. “Don’t even think about it, Stone. I’m out of service. My vagina is out of service, so you’re shit out of luck.”

He leans back, laughing. “It’s game day, so I won’t be here much today. I’ll be back around three, then it’s back to the rink.” He looks over at me.

“Good, I could use the rest.” I knew coming out here I’d be mostly by myself because Cooper still had to work. My Kindle is loaded and already waiting.

“I have a meeting scheduled after morning skate.”

“With who?” I ask, almost knowing what it would be about.

“Charles, my agent Scott, and Coach.” He takes a gulp of his water.

“Cooper, I think we should just forget everything.” I grab his hands, bringing one hand up to my lips. “I think we made our point.”

“Not going to happen. After our season opener, Charles called me to discuss how inappropriate the interview was. He wanted me to just pretend that I was with Monica.”

“What do you mean? Why didn’t you tell me?” I’m a little bit fucking pissed he didn’t think he should tell me this.

“Because it was an open/closed conversation. It was never going to happen. Monica and I were over. Finished.” He takes off his hat, running his hand through his hair. “I’m not fucking backing down. She pulled shit in front of the kids. That isn’t okay, and I plan on letting him know there will not be another fucking time.”

“She’s not worth it,” I state.

“Damn fucking straight she isn’t, but you are.” He finishes his water. “I have to get going. I’ll be back around three. Will you take a nap with me?”

“Only nap, Stone. You need your strength for the kick ass game you’re going to play tonight.”

Cooper

I killed it in practice today. Skated hard. Just having her here I feel at peace.

I’m now freshly showered and ready to take the bull by the horns. The bull being Charles. If he thinks he can strong-arm me, he’s got another thing coming to him.

I walk out of practice, sending Parker a text just because I can. Then I make my way to the meeting they set up in the coach’s room.

When I walk in, my agent Scott is already there. I greet him with a chin up. He knows how this is going to go. He isn’t at all surprised by the turn of events. After the red carpet fiasco, I laid my cards on the table to him. I wasn’t backing down. I had a no trade clause, so they had no choice but to not trade me. I was also planning on finishing this season on a high and walking away. It was time. Meeting Parker just made me come to peace with it.

When you have lived and breathed hockey for so long, it’s hard to just walk away, but now I know what I’m walking to, and just that makes me feel at peace.

Coach is also sitting in on this meeting as the ‘neutral’ side. I sit next to Scott. The mood is tense. Coach doesn’t even want to be here, but he has no choice. It wasn’t a suggestion.

It takes two more minutes before Charles enters followed by Monica, making my blood fucking boil. I’m almost ready to jump out of my chair just as Scott puts his hand on my arm. Looking over, he smirks and shakes his head no.

I have no doubt that he is on my side.

Charles takes a seat next to Coach with Monica sitting beside her father.

Charles is the first to speak. “It has come to my attention that there was an altercation between you and my daughter.” He pauses to look at Scott. “An altercation that should have never happened.”

“You’re right,” I start, “you are one hundred percent right. This should have never happened. I have a contract. One that states I get certain privileges.”

“So this hissy fit you are throwing is about what exactly? You have to agree it would be in poor taste for your ‘friend’ to be in the wife lodge,” he says condescendingly, making me snap.

“I believe the only one making a hissy fit is the brat of a daughter you have.”

Charles sits up straight.

“Not only did she block my future wife from the lodge, she tried to verbally attack her in front of her children.”

“I think this has gone on long enough. You guys had a fight, a tiff if you may. It’s time to cut to the chase. Monica is very sorry for whatever you think it is she did. Let’s just start over.”

“You are right,” Scott states. “This has gone on for too long. Cooper dated Monica. That is over.”

I look at Monica and see her roll her eyes.

“Really, Cooper, isn’t this enough? I learned my lesson,” she states. “I’m willing to look past this and start over.”

“Have you lost your mind?” I stare at her. “Look past what exactly? That I don’t love you? That I never did? Look past that Parker will be my wife, something you would have never been?”

“That’s enough, Stone,” Charles says.

“No, it hasn’t even begun to be enough. Your daughter crossed lines. Lines that I drew. She knew we were over, she knew that whatever we had wasn’t anything to write home about. She took it upon herself to fuck with Parker and in return it means she fucks with me. You want to fuck with me, bring it on. But let’s be honest, Charles, I’m never going to marry your daughter, ever.” I lean forward.

“And on that note we see that the team is in breach of contract since stipulations were made and not followed through. Charles, I would hate to drag this into the courts.” Scott crosses his legs.

“Are you threatening me?” Charles asks.

“Call it what you want, but know that I have one year left on my contract. I also have a no trade clause, so I’m not going anywhere. You want to sit me out? Be my fucking guest. You want to buy me out of my contract? Fucking do it. But don’t fucking sit here and try to sugar coat this.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Coach finally peeps in. “Charles, you start to push me, I’ll side with Cooper. This is fucking high school drama. We are sitting here because Monica fucked up, and you should be the first to see it. Are you really willing to put the team in jeopardy because she didn’t get her way?” Coach then looks at Monica. “This stops now.”

“Fucking right it does or else my ass isn’t getting on that ice.”

Charles gasps, and Coach smirks.

“I’ve had a shitty week, but deep down you know I’m the best there is. I’ve won some pretty big titles and brought you home a cup. I plan on bringing home one more, but I won’t even put the effort in if I know that you will let this go on.”

“Ball’s in your court, Charles,” Scott says.

“I’ll have everything cleared up right away. I don’t like it, I don’t agree with it, but I’m going to do what’s best for the team.”

“I also don’t want anything to do with Monica. You need something from me, get an intern to email me, call me. Whatever it is, she doesn’t come near me, she doesn’t call me, she doesn’t get to touch my family. I’m not fucking kidding. The minute I feel she is fucking with me, I’m out.”

“Okay, folks, this is over,” Coach says, getting up. “Cooper, see you tonight.”

Scott and I get up and head to the door, not even giving Monica or Charles a second thought. Once the door is closed, Scott turns to me. “Nice play saying you wouldn’t play.”

“Not even a joke. He’s fucked with the wrong guy. I will make his life hell if he doesn’t put a stop to her.”

Scott nods his head. “Looking forward to meeting your girl tonight.”

“Yup, supper after the game.” I turn and walk away, looking at my phone, and notice she didn’t answer.

Once I open the door, I see why. Knocked out on the bed, Kindle thrown next to her, my girl sleeps. Taking off my clothes, I sneak into bed with her. She’s wearing my shirt. My hand snakes under it, grabbing her breast. She moans and turns away. I pull her close to me, our legs intertwined, her ass spooned into my front and one hand still holding that breast. I close my eyes, taking me no time to join her in sleep.

Cooper

The days fly by, the weeks are but a memory. We finally get into a groove I’m okay with. I have also put my foot down with the amount of time we spend apart. No more fucking two weeks without her. I can’t do it, and I’m okay with admitting it.

She has also been a fixture in the wives’ box, making many new friends. I hear from the other teammates that their wives love her. Makes me smile because my girl can rock anything.

Thanksgiving was three weeks ago. We played away that weekend, so Parker came with the kids so we could celebrate together. Best feeling ever is sitting down, finally being thankful for something.

I’m sitting at the counter, drinking my protein shake while waiting for Matthew to come in. My palms are sweating. I’ve got nerves in my stomach.

I hear the garage door open, knowing that it’s him. I breathe out and say a prayer.

Matthew comes in, dropping his bag on one of the stools, then goes to the fridge to either get something to eat or drink. He is growing like a weed these days.

“Did you have a good day at school?” I ask him, hoping he’s in a good mood for the talk I need to have with him.

“Mmm,” he says while biting an apple and chewing.

“Good, so I kind of wanted to have a talk with you.” I place my hands on the counter.

He just looks at me, pulling his eyebrows together in confusion.

“I know how much you love your mom. I know that you are protective of her. I want to help you with that.” I’m not even sure I am making sense, but Matthew has stopped chewing and is staring at me. “Before you say anything, hear me out. I love her. I love her more than anything. I love you, and I love Allison like you were my own. I’ve never wanted to be tied to a woman in my life.”

“Tied?” Matthew laughs at me.

“I want to marry her. I want her to be my wife. I want to watch her wear my ring, knowing that she’s mine. I just want her to be mine.” I blow out, taking my cap off, rubbing my hands in my hair.

“Okay,” he says. “I’m not sure why you are telling me this.”

“I’m asking for your permission. I want you to tell me that you approve of me, of us. I want to make sure you are okay with this. You’re her main man. I want to be her other main man.”

“You make her happy. Before when we would go to Dad’s for the week, I would worry about her. Now I don’t. I know that you won’t let anything happen to her. That you would put her before anything. So, my answer is yes. Do it. Ask her,” Matthew says, smiling.

“Okay, good, one down. Now I just have to convince her to take a chance on me.”

“You got a ring?” he asks, and I nod.

“I do. I had it since I went away on that god-awful road trip.”

Matthew throws his head back and laughs. “Dude, you were terrible. I thought they would bench you, that’s how bad it was. I cringed during most of the games.”

“Thanks, buddy, glad I can make you laugh.”

Three days later, I’m standing in the middle of the family room. The decorator just left. It took six hours for her to transform my house into a winter wonderland.

When she opens the front door, what is going to greet her is the banister wrapped in garland with white lights.

Lit candles make a path to the family room, red rose petals scattered in the pathway.

The family room is what is blazing. The fireplace is lit, making the room glow. The monster of a Christmas tree is in the corner of the room. I told her I wanted a big tree. I had no idea she would walk in with a fifteen footer.

Everything on the tree is either white or silver with about a million lights, or what seems to be a million. There are huge vases on every single surface, filled with water and white branches with tea candles floating in them.

There are fake white trees all around the room as well, all lit up. The huge bay windows have tea light falling down on them. It really looks like a fucking fantasy.

I’m standing in front of the fireplace in my charcoal dress pants that I know she loves so much and beige knitted turtleneck sweater. The blue Tiffany’s box in my pocket weighs me down.

I know she’ll be here any minute. I had Meghan text me when she would be on her way home.

I mean, besides Matthew I also kind of had to get Meghan’s permission. She actually cried when I told her. But if we are honest, it’s the pregnancy making her soft. Yup, it seems that she will be welcoming a new member to the team. Even though it’s too early to tell, Tom is set on it being a boy.